Memorial

More information

Sgt Herschel W. Bowers graduated from Mount Morris High School and worked on a farm before he enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 28 March 1941. He was sent overseas in July 1944.

T/Sgt Henry N. Haeckl:
We were flying at approximately 27,000 feet altitude, shortly after bombs away. Aircraft B-17G, 42-31883, suffered a direct hit at this time by flak. The flak shell burst immediately under the pilot’s compartment and the aircraft blew up immediately. The cockpit, sides, and top around the pilot’s position blew out of the ship. There was just one belch of flame and a puff of smoke, presumably it was an oxygen explosion. Subject aircraft passed under us, headed downward in a steep dive. No parachutes were seen to come from this ship.

S/Sgt Arnold E. Kramer:
We had been hit badly in the radio room as well in the nose, Bowers was probably killed instantly by the explosion.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Grand-Failly, France.

He is remembered at the Olive-Tennant Cemetery in Pentress, Monongalia, West Virginia.